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Source: Pens management told Asham he would start on third line

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Penguins management did not only sell Arron Asham on the idea of playing for a perennial Stanley Cup Contender but when discussing his role, a source involved in the negotiations told me that Pens management told Asham he would start on the third line and possibily “move up from there, ” the source told me today.

Asham was not recruited to play a 4th line role by any means I’m told.

Asham provides versatility at the center and wing position and has a unique blend of skill and toughness. The Penguins believe that in Dan Bylsma’s system, Asham could see some top two line minutes in certain situations like Matt Cooke has in the past.

Asham could replace Jordan Staal as the team’s third line center. A contact in Asham’s camp called it a “possibility” but that discussion did not come up at length during negotiations.

Tyler Kennedy is among the returning wingers who faces a tough battle to keep a spot in the top-9.

Trade Buzz: Thursday’s 1-for-1 trade of young underperforming players saw the Minnesota Wild acquire center Victor Rask from the Carolina Hurricanes for left winger Nino Niederreiter. Carolina did an excellent job of being able to get out of the Rask contract, who has three years remaining with a $4 million cap hit. Rask has 1 goal, 5 assists on the season, mirrored in a 22-game goal drought. The logic here for Minnesota is taking the chance on a playmaking center who can help fill a top-9 spot longer term if the Wild move on from Eric Staal. Minnesota is also playing the card that a change of scenery will benefit the 24-year old who posted a career-high 21 goals, 48 points in 2015-2016.

Niederreiter’s trade value was stunted because of his contract, where he has three years left on his deal with a $5.25 million cap hit. Niederreiter is a player who is extremely hard to play against, drives possession well, and has three 20 goal seasons over his last four full seasons. Injuries (18 goals in 63 games) kept him from a 4th straight 20-goal season in 17-18. The Niederreiter acquisition also sets up as great insurance for the Hurricanes if they can’t resign Micheal Ferland. In the short-term, Carolina’s center situation is a mess with Jordan Staal sidelined with a concussion, but they’re getting the better player who fits the identity they’re trying to establish upfront, especially on the wings where they’ve identified the need for Patric Hornqvist type players.